SVSEF to host FIS/USSA Cross Country Races at Lake Creek

December 12, 2012

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is very pleased to host FIS/USSA Cross Country races, December 22-23 at the Lake Creek Trail System north of Ketchum.

SVSEF Nordic Director Rick Kapala remarked, "The Lake Creek ski trails have snow on them and we are training there, but it’s thin, solid but thin. The backup venue of Galena Lodge, where we ran the races last year has four feet of snow and the skiing there is outstanding. Our preference is to race at Lake Creek, but for it to be good; we need a bit more snow, especially for the classic mass start."

Kapala added that the preference is for the races to be staged at Lake Creek and an official decision on the race venue will be made on Thursday, Dec. 20 by 5 p.m. so course inspection can be conducted the following day.

In addition to the USSA/FIS races, there will be master's classes and a full slate of youth races for J3, J4 and J5 skiers. As well, SVSEF alumni are encouraged to stick around on Saturday for the 2012 Alumni Challenge immediately following the last event.

Entries may be submitted to Heidi Watanabe, race secretary, at heidiwat@cox.net. When signing up, please provide your USSA number (and FIS number if you have one) as race results will be submitted to the NRL and will be scored prior to the recalculation of USSA points for U.S. Nationals. Non-USAA licensed masters may race and will be seeded after to USSA/FIS Seeds. Bib pick-up will be available both race mornings at the venue.

Kapala reminds skiers that the Sun Valley races are not Intermountain Junior National qualifiers. They are the first in the IMD Season Race Series that includes stops in Sun Valley, Bozeman (JNQ), Soldier Hollow (JNQ), Boise (JNQ) and the IMD Finals at Grand Targhee.